My name is Kathleen McAuley, but I usually go by Katie. I am 21 years old and a senior at the University of Rhode Island, studying both Secondary Education and Biology. When I graduate this upcoming May, I will hold a B.A. in Biology, a B.S. in Secondary Education as well as certifications for teaching secondary education in Biology and in General Science. I am from Huntington, New York, a town that has definitely shaped who I am. I am very lucky to have grown up close to the water since two of my favorite activities in the summer are swimming and sailing. I am slowly becoming more active in dance classes, though due to a back injury I had to slow down after high school. I now do Yoga and very light dance to help remain active, both of which I am extremely passionate about. The last thing to know about me is that my favorite team in the entire world is the NY Giants. Although I am not the hugest Patriots fan in the entire world..........I will tolerate those around me who are. Superbowl XLII....18-1....still feels great.
Overall I am a teacher with a huge sense of humor that hopes to bring that into the classroom. I love to joke around and liven up any lesson that seems dry or boring, but I also know how to pace the classroom so the material gets covered in the correct amount of time and as in depth as needed.
My main complaints in school, especially as a 9th grade student, were along the lines of “why do I need to do this?” In this unit plan I tried to address this concern of students, including myself, by creating authentic assessments and lessons. I made use of the available technology in the room and added video clips, diagrams, visual aids and activities for students. These will all be of use in creating a meaningful unit plan for the students next semester.
Contrary to my high school experience, the students at Westerly High School actually like to use the textbook to complete tasks, which is beneficial in more ways than one. The students are learning from a type of media that is readily available to the class, in addition to the material being explained in terms they understand. The school is very pleased as well to hear the students are using the textbooks, since books are becoming a large portion of the budget. I incorporated the textbook activities and vocabulary in order to promote the students studying the same information and not from confusing definitions. Also, as much as I dislike notes, I believe that taking notes is one of the most helpful ways to record information when learning it for the first time. After each set of notes, however, I put in an activity in order to break up any monotony seen in the classroom. I was hoping to do this to let the students know that taking notes is necessary, but when completed we can move on to more “fun” activities. The unit consists of an inquiry activity, a couple demonstrations, a lab and multiple videos of examples. The inquiry activity is between rocks and minerals. By having the students ask their own questions about rocks or minerals and reporting back to the class, we will be able to create a class description of the difference between rocks and minerals.
Overall I hope that I addressed any concerns of the students throughout the unit as well as the topics I wish to cover. Each lesson may not take just one day, but I allotted for flexibility with the time. I will continue to change the lesson as I get to know my students better and learn their habits and also their interests. I am a huge fan of incorporating technology and hope to use laptops (if they become available in the future) for activities in this unit. This unit plan addresses a variety of GSE while also adhering to the content used across the rest of the building. I am excited to implement my unit into the curriculum in the classroom and cannot wait to begin teaching about the Earth’s interior.
Principal: Steven Ruscito
Sci Dept Head/MS Team Leader: M.J. Utley
Office secretary(s): Deanna Fallon, Liz Gervasini, Carolyn Pinkhover
Who do you call when sick or dying? The Front Office
What are the phone numbers? (401) 596-2109
Cooperating Teacher: Bonnie McNamara
(Tiger Temple in Bangkok, Thailand)
My name is Kathleen McAuley, but I usually go by Katie. I am 21 years old and a senior at the University of Rhode Island, studying both Secondary Education and Biology. When I graduate this upcoming May, I will hold a B.A. in Biology, a B.S. in Secondary Education as well as certifications for teaching secondary education in Biology and in General Science. I am from Huntington, New York, a town that has definitely shaped who I am. I am very lucky to have grown up close to the water since two of my favorite activities in the summer are swimming and sailing. I am slowly becoming more active in dance classes, though due to a back injury I had to slow down after high school. I now do Yoga and very light dance to help remain active, both of which I am extremely passionate about. The last thing to know about me is that my favorite team in the entire world is the NY Giants. Although I am not the hugest Patriots fan in the entire world..........I will tolerate those around me who are. Superbowl XLII....18-1....still feels great.
Overall I am a teacher with a huge sense of humor that hopes to bring that into the classroom. I love to joke around and liven up any lesson that seems dry or boring, but I also know how to pace the classroom so the material gets covered in the correct amount of time and as in depth as needed.
Teaching Portfolio
Teaching RationaleUnit Plan
My main complaints in school, especially as a 9th grade student, were along the lines of “why do I need to do this?” In this unit plan I tried to address this concern of students, including myself, by creating authentic assessments and lessons. I made use of the available technology in the room and added video clips, diagrams, visual aids and activities for students. These will all be of use in creating a meaningful unit plan for the students next semester.
Contrary to my high school experience, the students at Westerly High School actually like to use the textbook to complete tasks, which is beneficial in more ways than one. The students are learning from a type of media that is readily available to the class, in addition to the material being explained in terms they understand. The school is very pleased as well to hear the students are using the textbooks, since books are becoming a large portion of the budget. I incorporated the textbook activities and vocabulary in order to promote the students studying the same information and not from confusing definitions. Also, as much as I dislike notes, I believe that taking notes is one of the most helpful ways to record information when learning it for the first time. After each set of notes, however, I put in an activity in order to break up any monotony seen in the classroom. I was hoping to do this to let the students know that taking notes is necessary, but when completed we can move on to more “fun” activities. The unit consists of an inquiry activity, a couple demonstrations, a lab and multiple videos of examples. The inquiry activity is between rocks and minerals. By having the students ask their own questions about rocks or minerals and reporting back to the class, we will be able to create a class description of the difference between rocks and minerals.
Overall I hope that I addressed any concerns of the students throughout the unit as well as the topics I wish to cover. Each lesson may not take just one day, but I allotted for flexibility with the time. I will continue to change the lesson as I get to know my students better and learn their habits and also their interests. I am a huge fan of incorporating technology and hope to use laptops (if they become available in the future) for activities in this unit. This unit plan addresses a variety of GSE while also adhering to the content used across the rest of the building. I am excited to implement my unit into the curriculum in the classroom and cannot wait to begin teaching about the Earth’s interior.
Student Teaching Information
A. Student Teaching Placement
School: Westerly High SchoolAddress: 23 Ward Avenue Westerly, RI 02891
Principal: Steven Ruscito
Sci Dept Head/MS Team Leader: M.J. Utley
Office secretary(s): Deanna Fallon, Liz Gervasini, Carolyn Pinkhover
Who do you call when sick or dying? The Front Office
What are the phone numbers? (401) 596-2109
Cooperating Teacher: Bonnie McNamara
Observations and Reflections